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Why is my 9-year-old outdoor cat weak, not eating, and lethargic?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 8 years and 6 months old

my cat has hardly moved in 2 days and is very weak. He just stays asleep until u wake him up. He also has hardly eaten, we had to force water in his mouth with a tube although he has eaten some beef slices cut up in his bed but went back to sleep afterwards. He is 9 years old and is an outdoor cat. Do you know what is wrong with him?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on March 28th, 2017

Mojo sounds extremely sick. Unfortunately, without examining him, I can't determine the cause of his lethargy and inappetence. Some possible causes include a severe abscess/infection, virus, cancer, among others. Cats that do not eat normally can develop a condition known as hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) which can be quite severe. If he is not drinking normally, he is likely quite dehydrated. At this point, Mojo must be seen by a vet immediately for an exam, diagnostic testing, and may even need to be hospitalized for fluid therapy and other supportive treatments.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Shaneez Wallani, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Without more information it's not possible to determine what has caused Mojo’s condition. However, it is essential that Mojo see a veterinarian immediately. He sounds like he is seriously ill, and there are various reasons that may have lead to his sickness. One very serious concern in an outdoor cat is the possibility of rabies infection, which is transmitted from the saliva of infected mammals, can be passed on to humans, and is fatal. Diseases such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism or diabetes are possibilities in older cats. Other causes of illness in an intact male outdoor cat could be infectious diseases such as feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, trauma or toxin ingestion. Please take Mojo to a veterinarian immediately, as he needs treatment, and due to the risk of rabies, there may be a human health risk involved for anyone who has handled him.

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